Detectives Visit Crime Scene Of Slain Boy

A team of police detectives attached to the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, has visited Mile 12 end of Ikorodu Road where a police stray bullet killed a nine-year-old boy, Timilehin Ebun.

According to Punch Metro the detectives interrogated the team of accused policemen and eyewitnesses at the scene. The policemen attached to Ketu Division were attempting to arrest a commercial bus driver when the deceased, who was with his family members in his father’s Nissan Pathfinder Sports Utility Vehicle, was hit by a police stray bullet.

The detectives deduced that the stray bullet emanated from the rifle of Sergeant Razaq Alowonle with force number 203693.

Also at the scene was a commercial bus driver, Babatunde Omoniyi.

The report of the preliminary investigation stated that Omoniyi incited his colleagues to attack policemen, who were attempting to arrest him: “Around 9pm on June 13, 2013, a team of policemen commanded by one Inspector Sule Dauda were attempting to arrest the driver of a Volkswagen bus with plate number KJA65XEX. The driver, Omoniyi, had broken traffic law and caused traffic congestion. One of the policemen entered into Omoniyi’s bus but Omoniyi drove off and the policemen chased after him.

“The policemen caught up with Omoniyi but he stripped himself naked and created a scene. This drew the attention of his colleagues, who prevented policemen from arresting him. The police team called for backup and another team, led by one Inspector Sunday Olaleye, arrived the scene.

“The crowd started stoning the policemen and when they were overwhelmed, shots were fired into the air. In the process, a bullet pierced through the windscreen of a Nissan pathfinder with plate number HD 844 EKY and the nine-year-old boy was killed.”

Eyewitnesses reportedly confirmed to the detectives that Timilehin’s death was not deliberate.

The correspondent learnt that the bullet recovered from Timilehin’s corpse and Alowonle’s gun had been taken for ballistics examination.

Detectives, who spoke to the correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said both the ballistics examination and the autopsy would be ready on Thursday (today).

A detective however said Alowonle was culpable and would be charged to court soon.

“Indeed the policemen were attacked while trying to arrest Omoniyi but the response was not proportional to the attack. Shooting is only justifiable when there is direct and immediate threat to life,” he said.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s family told the correspondent during private telephone call that Timilehin would be buried immediately after his corpse would be released.

Lawyer for the family, Mr. Francis Ogunbowale, said, “The police have assured us that the autopsy would be ready by Thursday or Friday. Immediately this is done, Timilehin will be buried.”